2003 Chevy Truck Antenna Hood Mount

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 9:32 am

Is there a trunk/hood mount for an antenna that will work with the newer Chevy trucks? Of course the L-bracket we usually use will not work with this new style hood. Thanks

jim · Post by **jim** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 11:32 am

Yep...a 3/4" holesaw and your roof!

Actually, the "L" bracket will work with some proper bending.

911radio · Post by **911radio** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 3:24 pm

In my opinion, "L" brackets suck. They are flimsy and look cheap. Comet makes a great "No holes drilled" NMO mount that is fully adjustable. It attaches to the lip of your hood and is non-marring to your paint finish. They have a few models including a HD mount. Some also come with coax assemblies as well. Prices are very reasonable for the functionality that you get. Model #'s for these mounts start with "RS".

http://www.cometantenna.com/mounts.html

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ ... ometx.html

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 6:15 pm

that Comet thing is Big and Ugly. the l brakets looks good, you need a heavy gaufe brakect

jim · Post by **jim** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 5:48 am

I totally agree about L brackets. They are cheap, ugly, unreliable and just plain unprofessional. The radiation pattern sucks, too.

I will not use these on any commercial installation- period.

The only time I will even consider one is if it's a volunteer fireman's personal vehicle and that is the mount that they request.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 6:53 am

I am well aware of the problems that may occur when L-brackets are improperly installed. I have installed hundreds of these little beauties with very little (close to none) problems.

In our application (Local Government) looks aren't a terrible concern as long as the equipment works. The radios are on a repeater using 45 watt mobiles so radiation pattern is also not a problem.

Well thanks for responding to my question and I will bet there isn't such a beast yet. I will now recommend to install the antenna on the roof.

FFParamedic571 · Post by **FFParamedic571** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 12:00 pm

Ive used an antenex Low profile trunk lip mount on the hood lip by the front windshieldof a suburban It wasnt the best looking but it worked. The un-named Federal agency has a grarge with a low clearance. They were tired of having to bring the truck back every time someone forgot the truck had a roof antenna...

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:30 pm

I got it. You can have the best of both worlds. Drill a 3/4" hole in your hood and put the NMO there. Once you get used to an antenna dead center in your field of vision, it shouldn't be a problem. It might look a little (ok a lot) stupid but it will fit in the garage AND have a great ground plane!!

jim · Post by **jim** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 5:59 am

If it's a pickup, why not just place it on the front of the bed side rail near the cab? An "L" bracket will work there.

Another solution (?) is run the coax out through the CHMSL lamp and use a magnet mount on the roof. If it's UHF or 800, you can use an Antenex Phantom and even paint it body color.

Znarx · Post by **Znarx** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 7:48 am

The biggest problem with L bracket installations is the hardware most people use to install the things......

1. do NOT use self-tapping screws...the pilot hole drilled by the drill tip is too large and the screw will loosen in a very short period of time
2. if you must use screws, drill a pilot hole, then use a hand-screwdriver to install the screw...NO DRILLS! (unless you WANT to strip the hole)
3. for a great L bracket install... RIVET the thing on! it'll never loosen (as long as the hole drilled for the rivet matches the rivet size)

...Z